District 19

“A Queens lawmaker is pushing a bill that could lead to brighter pedestrian crossings.

City Councilman Paul Vallone introduced a bill last week that would require the City Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar-powered reflectors on street intersections.

The reflectors are designed to illuminate crosswalks and stop signs when someone is crossing the street. There are already similar programs in Arizona, Florida and other states.

The bill comes nearly a year after 17-year-old Maddie Sershen was killed by a driver who said she didn’t see Sershen in the crosswalk.

“We need to do better. And this illumination of a crosswalk and a stop sign definitely will make it better. Would it have saved Maddie? We don’t know. But we can’t rest until we say we do everything possible,” said Vallone.

The bill was referred to the City Council’s Transportation Committee.”